Understanding the Developing Child Course

Don’t manage behaviour. Read it.

A Kai CIRCLE Certificate | Eight Stackable Modules | One Developmental Lens

What if we looked beyond a child’s behaviour to understand what it is communicating?

The Understanding the Developing Child certificate is a research-informed professional learning programme designed for educators across all grades, from early years through adolescence. It explores how development, relationships, emotions, self-regulation and stress influence the way children learn and behave.

Why Understanding the Developing Child?

Children’s behaviour is often addressed before their underlying developmental needs are understood. By learning to look beyond what a child does and consider why they might be doing it, educators can respond with greater empathy, insight and intention.

This programme helps educators move beyond behaviour management towards developmental understanding, creating emotionally safe learning environments, nurturing relationships and supporting children’s growing independence.

Through research-informed sessions, real classroom dilemmas, practical tools and collaborative reflection, participants learn to connect theory with everyday teaching and make meaningful improvements to their practice.

Programme Highlights

• 8 Flexible, Stackable Modules: Seven online modules and one in-person lab module.
• Personalised In-Person Lab Experience: Six hours of peer-supported learning at an international school or early years setting to transform your practice.
• 21 Live Online Sessions to deepen your understanding and strengthen practical application.
• Six Learning Hours per Module for focused, flexible professional development.
• Programme Commencement: 2 November 2026.
• Live Sessions: Mondays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM IST.
• Certificate of Mastery: Earn the Kai CIRCLE Mastery Certificate in Understanding the Developing Child upon successful completion of all eight modules.

Understand the child. Change the classroom.

Whether you teach in the early years, primary or secondary grades, deepen your understanding of learners and discover new ways to make your teaching more responsive and intentional.

Explore the complete programme, modules, learning pathway and fees in the brochure.